ARC Review: Change of Heart by Cristina LePort, MD

Change of Heart
Author: Cristina LePort, MD
Series: Miner & Mulville (Book 2)
Publication: Bancroft Press (February 4, 2025)

Description: In the bustling heart of New York City, a young medical student’s life is tragically cut short, though her heart continues to beat, holding the promise of life for another. Detective Kirk Miner is called to the scene and quickly uncovers a chilling conspiracy involving organ donations and high-stakes crime. As the investigation unfolds, Miner realizes the case is far more complex and dangerous than it initially seemed.

Enter FBI Agent Jack Mulville, who steps in to supervise Special Agent Charlotte Bloom as they join forces with Miner. Together, they unravel a web of corruption, revealing that Amy Winter's death is connected to a ruthless organ trafficking ring.

Amy Winter, a promising pre-med student, is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Her death triggers an investigation that pulls Miner, Mulville, and Bloom into a labyrinth of deceit and desperation. As they dig deeper, they discover that Amy's heart is not just a donor's gift but a coveted prize in a deadly game controlled by criminals willing to kill to keep their secrets hidden.

The quest for justice takes Miner, Mulville, and Bloom through the shadowy underbelly of organ trafficking, revealing the lengths to which people will go to secure life-saving transplants. Amidst the danger, they face moral dilemmas and personal risks, pushing them to their limits as they strive to protect innocent lives and dismantle a powerful criminal network.

"Change of Heart" is a gripping medical thriller that intertwines the intricacies of modern medicine with the relentless pursuit of justice. Cristina LePort, M.D., masterfully combines her medical expertise with edge-of-your-seat storytelling, delivering a novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

Dr. LePort is an accomplished physician with a passion for weaving medical knowledge into thrilling narratives. Her extensive background in medicine lends authenticity and depth to her stories, making the Miner & Mulville series a unique blend of fact and fiction.

My Thoughts: This medical thriller was strong on medical information which isn't much of a surprise given that the author is a doctor. The central plot is that someone is killing people in order to get their organs for transplant. 

It starts with the death of a young medical student outside New York Medical Center which brings in former cop, current private investigator Kirk Miner who has a sort of specialty in medical crimes. But soon the FBI is involved including FBI Director Jack Mulville and is new protegee probationary agent Charlotte Bloom. 

Charlotte is willing to do anything to prove herself to her mentor and gain her place as a full-fledged FBI Agent. One of the things she is willing to do in ignore who own health until she has reached her goal. She has severe heart disease and is in need of a heart transplant herself. 

This case slots in nicely with her goals, but she soon finds herself more central than she had wished to be when it turns out that some of the crime exists because of her need for a heart.

The story began slowly for me, but once I got about 20% into it, it picked up the pace. That was the point that made me invested in the characters and eager to see how things would work out. While Charlotte's involvement stretched coincidence almost to the breaking point, I did ultimately enjoy the story. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.